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Motorists face black boxes in cars for road pricing

MINISTERS are to get new powers to impose road pricing schemes in cities and on trunk roads to combat congestion, according to a leaked cabinet paper.

Douglas Alexander, the transport secretary, is planning a bill to go before parliament as early as next year which will pave the way for motorists to be charged on a pay-as-you-drive basis in future.

The idea is different from London’s congestion charge, where a flat fee is paid for entering parts of the capital. Instead, motorists could have black boxes fitted in their cars and be sent itemised bills depending on how far they drive and which routes they take.

Unlike other European countries such as France, Italy and Norway, Britain has only one major road where tolls are payable — a short stretch of motorway north of Birmingham which can be used as an alternative to the M6.